Social contacts

Source:
Pixabay

Recently, the question was raised somewhere whether other hearing
impaired people are also avoiding more and more social contacts when
their hearingloss gets worse.
My answer to that was brief and
succinct: no, I certainly do not avoid social contacts. I try to
balance social contacts and moments of rest. Where this is not
possible, I make a conscious decision.

How I make a
conscious decision depends on the questions: what do I need and what
do I want? Depending on every situation, everyone should ask
themselves these questions so that one is aware that there are
options at all.
I will explain this with an example: I planned
my week very precisely, appropriately and well-balanced. But here
comes a request that is difficult to ignore, let us say an unexpected
and urgent task or meeting within the scope of my work on the
Executive Board. It would fit in my calendar, but actually I had
planned to take a break. What do I do in this case? I look at what
has priority for me at the moment, whether I really need to be
retired or whether the Executive Board task is more important at that
moment. And then I decide. When I decide to take on the board task, I
look at how I can take a break in my week elsewhere and do it where I
can.

And what can you do when your best friend asks you
to have a drink or go to the theatre, and you're actually too tired
to go? You want to come with your friend, but you also need rest.
What's important at that moment?
Of course, communication in a
theatre, birthday party or pub is especially stressful for the
hearing impaired. On the other hand, it is also important to keep
communicating with your social environment.
Many people with
impaired hearing decide to retire and prefer to avoid going out of
the house. This is not only a pity, but also endangers one's own
health.
Instead of staying away from contacts or events, it is
better to take short breaks. If you are a smoker, it is easy to
install a smoke break. For example, I myself go to the toilet a
little more often and for a longer period of time at birthday
parties. But maybe you can just go outside the door. Or make an
appointment with your host(ess), that you can withdraw briefly in a
quiet room.

Please do not avoid social contacts because
this is too strenuous. Instead, inform your contacts about your
hearing impairment and what you need for communication. This is not
only better for your own well-being, but also for that of the other
hearing impaired people, because information is knowledge and
knowledge contributes to understanding.